NBA power rankings 2013: Houston Rocket-ing upwards in power rankings

The Houston Rockets are shooting up the web's NBA power rankings on the strength of their resurgent offense, which outpaced all others in 2012's final month.

Houston rolled up a staggering 109.3 points per game in December, with their fast-paced attack powered by James Harden and his 27.7 points per game last month. Five other players put up double-digit points per game, comprising 59.3 points between them. Omer Asik averaged a double-double on the month, with 10.1 points and 11.3 rebounds per game to his credit.

Matt Dollinger of SI.com awarded the Rockets the ninth spot in his latest rankings, jumping Houston eight spots upward and citing their increased offensive output for the rise. Kurt Helin of NBC Sports' ProBasketballTalk bumped the Rockets up three spots to 14th, and praised Jeremy Lin's recent play.

Matt Moore over at CBS Sports/Eye on Basketball gave the Rockets the 10th overall ranking, even as he marveled at their offensive transformation. ESPN writer Marc Stein actually dropped the Rockets one slot, noting that the Oklahoma City Thunder blew out Houston. ESPN's Hollinger Rankings felt differently, with the algorithm putting the Rockets fifth league-wide.